EP0863693A1 - Rack for electrical equipment - Google Patents
Rack for electrical equipment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0863693A1 EP0863693A1 EP98300723A EP98300723A EP0863693A1 EP 0863693 A1 EP0863693 A1 EP 0863693A1 EP 98300723 A EP98300723 A EP 98300723A EP 98300723 A EP98300723 A EP 98300723A EP 0863693 A1 EP0863693 A1 EP 0863693A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- base
- rack
- web
- cross member
- leg
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
- H04Q1/02—Constructional details
- H04Q1/04—Frames or mounting racks for selector switches; Accessories therefor, e.g. frame cover
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
- H04Q1/02—Constructional details
- H04Q1/11—Protection against environment
- H04Q1/112—Protection against environment mechanical protection, e.g. resistance to earthquakes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
- H04Q1/02—Constructional details
- H04Q1/11—Protection against environment
- H04Q1/116—Protection against environment lightning or EMI protection, e.g. shielding or grounding
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/18—Construction of rack or frame
- H05K7/183—Construction of rack or frame support rails therefor
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q2201/00—Constructional details of selecting arrangements
- H04Q2201/02—Details of frames
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to racks and, more particularly, to a rack for electric equipment.
- the present invention is related to the rack disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,284,254.
- a common use of racks of the type to which the present invention relates is for carrying telephone circuitry in a building.
- the rack has a base and two legs extending upwardly from the base. To strengthen the structure, the legs are also connected together by a cross member near the top of the legs.
- the legs and the cross member are each channel-shaped, having a web and two opposing flanges.
- the base and the space between the legs is sometimes closed by a cover and panels, respectively, to shield the circuitry from EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) (or to protect the circuitry from EMI).
- EMI Electro-Magnetic Interference
- each rack carries up to 400-500 pounds (181-227 kg) of electrical equipment, and is bolted or otherwise secured to the floor.
- pounds (181-227 kg) of electrical equipment In certain geographic areas where there is a high risk of seismic activity, it is necessary to provide additional reinforcement to prevent the racks from failing during an earthquake.
- the panels on the legs and/or the cover on the base must be removed to permit the needed access.
- the racks are located close together in a room in a building, and there is very little space for a technician to work on any given rack. Frequently, the panels are readily removed from the legs.
- the cover for the base is in two pieces and requires the removal of several fasteners to release the cover from base. Alternatively, only a portion of the cover may be removable, which severely restricts access to the base.
- a rack which resists failure in earthquake conditions; the provision of such a rack which withstands and resists whipping action of the legs in earthquake conditions; the provision of such a rack which can be tightly sealed by panels for EMI shielding; the provision of such a rack which has easy access to electrical equipment and the like in its base in cramped quarters; the provision of such a rack which permits access to the full interior of the base; the provision of such a rack which is readily manufactured.
- a rack for electrical equipment of the present invention comprises a base having a front, a back and opposite sides, and a pair of legs extending up from the base at opposite sides of the base.
- Each leg is generally channel-shaped and has a web, a front flange projecting from a front edge of the web and a back flange projecting from a back edge of the web.
- a cross member extending between the webs of the legs generally at the upper ends of the legs is rigidly connected to each leg to interconnect the legs for strengthening the rack.
- Reinforcing struts rigidly mounted on each leg each have a web in spaced apart opposed relation with an interior face of one of the front and back flanges of the leg. Said one flange and the reinforcing strut define a box beam element strengthening said one flange.
- Tie means rigidly interconnects the cross member to the box beam element.
- a rack generally comprises a base, legs and a cross member, as set forth above.
- a brace for each leg rigidly interconnecting the cross member to each leg has two thin edges and opposed broad sides. One of the thin edges engages the web of the cross member.
- the brace extends through an opening in the leg web generally transversely over one of the front and back flanges of the leg and is rigidly connected to the leg.
- the brace includes a first portion in generally closely spaced, parallel relation to one of the front and back flanges of the cross member and a second portion in generally non-parallel arrangement to said one flange of the cross member.
- the brace is butt welded to the web of the cross member along an upper edge of a side of the first portion facing away from said one flange of the cross member, and along the second portion.
- a rack generally comprises a base, legs, cross member and tie means as set forth above.
- a one-piece cover is adapted to be removably fastened to the base of the rack in a position where the cover extends forward from the back wall of the base between the legs of the rack and is spaced above the bottom wall of the base to form, in combination with the back and bottom walls of the base, an enclosure.
- Fasteners for removably fastening the cover in fixed position on the base are adapted to be unfastened for removing the cover from the base thereby to provide ready access to an interior of the base.
- the rack which is particularly adapted for mounting electrical equipment (e.g., telephone relay circuits), includes a base, generally indicated at 22, having a front, a back, opposite sides, a bottom wall 24 and a back wall 26 extending up from the bottom wall generally at the back of the base.
- a plurality of fastener openings 28 in the bottom wall 24 may have fasteners (not shown) driven through them and into a surface (not shown) supporting the rack 20 for securing the rack to the surface.
- the fastener openings 28 are elongated, which permits flexibility in the positioning of the fasteners along the length of the openings.
- a pair of channel-shaped legs, generally indicated at 30, extend up from the bottom wall 24 of the base 22 at opposite sides of the rack 20 adjacent the back wall 26 of the base.
- the legs 30 are affixed to the bottom wall 24 of the base such as by welding to the bottom wall 24 and the back wall 26.
- the legs 30 each have a web 34, a front flange 36 projecting from a front edge of the web and a back flange 38 projecting from a back edge of the web.
- a front return flap 40 extends rearwardly from a laterally outer edge of the front flange 36 opposite the web 34.
- a shorter rear return flap 42 extends forwardly from a laterally outer edge of the back flange 38 opposite the web 34.
- a stiffener 44 on each leg 30 is attached by welding along the full length of vertical edge 44A to the return flap 40, and along vertical edges 44B, 44C to the front flange 36. The horizontally extending edges of the stiffener 44, and lower vertical edge 44D are free of welding.
- the cross member 32 includes a web 46, a front flange 48 depending from a forward edge of the web and a back flange 50 (see Fig. 2) depending from a rearward edge of the web.
- the front flange 48 of the cross member is substantially co-planar with the front flange 36 of the leg 30, and the back flange 50 of the cross member is substantially co-planar with the back flange 38 of the leg.
- the ends of the cross member front and back flanges 48, 50 and an adjacent portion of the cross member web 46 abutting the web 34 of the leg, are attached by weld lines W1 to the web of the leg.
- the web 46 of the cross member 32 is also attached by weld W2 on the underside of the cross member web to the web 34 of the leg (Fig. 5).
- a reinforcing strut rigidly mounted on each leg 30 is generally indicated at 54.
- the reinforcing strut has a web 56 in spaced apart opposed relation with an interior face of the front flange 36 of the leg.
- the reinforcing strut 54 has a pair of opposed flanges 58 extending forwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the web 56 and into engagement with the interior face of the front flange 36 of the leg.
- the reinforcing strut 54 is fixed to the leg 30 by weld lines W3 and W4 extending along the longitudinal edges of the web 56 and joining the strut to the web 34 of the leg and the front return flap 44, respectively (Fig. 4).
- the weld lines W3, W4 are continuous and extend substantially the full length of the reinforcing strut 54.
- the reinforcing strut 54 and front flange 36 of the leg define a box beam element to strengthen the front flange.
- the reinforcing strut 54 reinforces the front flange 36 of the leg to resist forces, such as those forces encountered by the rack 20 during an earthquake, which tend to twist the material of the front flange about an axis perpendicular to the front flange and cause it to buckle and fail.
- the forces are encountered by the front flange 36 because the cross member 32 is tied to the front flange, as will be described below. It has been found in shake tests that catastrophic failure of the rack 20 occurs almost instantaneously upon failure of the connection of the cross member 32 to one of the legs 30.
- the cross member 32 is tied to each of the legs 30 by a brace generally indicated at 62.
- the brace is rigidly connected to the cross member 32 and to the box beam element defined by the reinforcing strut 54 and front flange 36 of the leg.
- the brace 62 is generally L-shaped and has thin edges and broad sides. One of the thin edges engages the underside of the cross member web 46.
- the brace 62 extends from under the cross member web through an opening 64 in the web 34 of the leg and across the web 56 of the reinforcing strut 54.
- a part 62A of the brace 62 lies generally in face-to-face engagement with the web 56 of the reinforcing strut 54. As shown in Fig.
- the brace 62 is attached to the reinforcing strut 54 by welds W5, W6 extending across upper and lower edge segments (respectively) of the part 62A overlying the reinforcing strut.
- the brace 62 is attached along the full length of its outer end by a weld W7 to the front return flap 44, and to the leg web 34 by a weld W8 extending transversely across the brace.
- the brace 62 is broken away in two places in Fig.
- brace overlies portions of the continuous weld lines W3, W4 connecting the reinforcing strut 54 to the leg 30, and that the welds W7, W8 connecting the brace to the leg are in registration with but separate from the weld lines W3, W4.
- a first portion 62B of the brace 62 under the cross member web is in generally closely spaced, parallel relation to the front flange 48 of the cross member 32.
- the first portion 62B is attached to the underside of the cross member web by a butt weld W9 extending along the upper edge of the side of the brace facing away from the front flange (Fig. 5).
- a foot 66 (broadly, "second portion") of the L-shaped brace 62 extends away from the first portion 62A and front flange 48 of the cross member 32 in generally perpendicular relation to the first portion and front flange.
- a weld W10 on the laterally inner side of the foot 66 further connects the brace 62 to the cross member 32.
- the foot 66 as welded to the cross member web 46, resists buckling of the brace 62.
- essentially three flanges (the front flange 48, the back flange 50 and the brace 62) must fail for the cross member 32 to fail.
- the base 22 further includes a pair of support members indicated generally at 70.
- the support members are of inverted channel shape and lie at opposite sides of the base 22, extending forward above the bottom wall 24 from respective legs 30 to the front of the base.
- Each support member 70 has a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart side walls 72 extending up from the bottom wall 24 of the base 22 and lying in planes extending in front-to-back direction with respect to the base, and a top wall 74 connecting the side walls.
- the side walls 72 of the support members 70 are each welded along their lower edges to the bottom wall 24 and welded to respective ones of the front flanges 36 of the legs 30 along a rear edge margin.
- the forwardmost lower edge margin portion of the laterally outer side wall 72 of the support member is attached by welding to a return 76 of a front wall 78 of the base 22.
- the top wall 74 of the support member 70 is welded to the corresponding front flange 36 of one of the legs 30.
- braces indicated generally at 82 which are completely separate from the support members 70, are attached to the base 22 adjacent opposite legs 30 of the rack.
- Each brace 82 has a generally vertical leg 84 which extends forward from generally adjacent the back wall 26 of the base 22, the rearward edge of the leg being spaced a small distance forward from the back wall 26.
- a top edge margin of the vertical leg 84 is formed to extend laterally inwardly from the top edge of the leg to define a cover support 86.
- the brace 82 is arranged so that its vertical leg 84 bridges a respective leg 30 and associated support member 70 of the rack 20.
- the vertical leg 84 is attached, as by welding, along its back edge and a portion of its top edge to a respective leg 30.
- a forward portion of the top edge is attached by welding to the support member 70.
- a forward edge of the vertical leg 84 is also attached by welding to the inner side wall 72 of the support member.
- At the bottom of the forward edge a portion (not shown) of the vertical leg 84 juts out under the return of the front wall of the base 22.
- the upper edge of the jutting out portion is also welded to the side wall 72 of the support member.
- Each brace 82 also includes a generally horizontal leg 88 extending laterally from a lower edge of the vertical leg 84 and overlying the bottom wall 24 of the base 22. Openings 90 are provided in the horizontal leg 88 which are aligned with a corresponding fastener opening 28 in the bottom wall 24 of the base 22 so that fasteners can be driven through the aligned openings 28, 90 and into the surface supporting the rack 20 for securing the rack to the surface.
- the laterally inner edge of the horizontal leg 88 is attached by welds to the bottom wall 24.
- the rack 20 includes a one-piece cover, generally indicated at 92, adapted to be removably fastened to the to base 22 in a position (Fig. 7) where the cover extends forward from the back wall 26 between the legs 30 and is spaced above the bottom wall 24 of the base.
- the cover 92 in combination with the bottom wall 24, back wall 26 and front wall 78 of the base 22 defines an enclosure for electrical wiring. It is to be understood that items other than electrical equipment may be mounted on the rack 20 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- the cover 92 includes a top panel 94 which is cut out so that the top panel is received between the legs 30 and overlies the top walls 74 of the support members 70.
- the top panel 94 also rests on the cover supports 86 formed at the tops of the vertical legs of the braces and a return 96 of the back wall 26.
- a front panel of the cover 92 is formed as one piece with the top panel 94 and extends downward from a forward edge of the top panel over the front of the base 22.
- the front panel has a first section 98 which is formed to fit against the front edges of the support members 70, and a second section 100 which is formed to fit around and rest on protruding portions of the laterally outer side walls 72 of the support members.
- a third section 102 of the front panel 96 extends inwardly and downwardly for abutting the front wall 78 of the base 22.
- the cover 92 may be formed by bending a piece of sheet metal, or in another suitable manner.
- the cover 92 is secured to the base 22 using a single pair of fasteners 104, which are the sole fasteners connecting the cover to the base.
- the fasteners 104 fit through corresponding openings 106 in the cover 92 which are aligned with mating openings 108 in the front wall of the base 22 (Fig. 6).
- the entire interior of the base 22 can be exposed by removing the two fasteners 104 and lifting the cover 92 off of the base.
- racks of the type to which this invention relates are used in cramped quarters. The fewer parts to be manipulated for exposing the wiring carried in the base 22 of the rack 20, the easier it is for technicians who must work on the equipment.
- a second embodiment of the rack 220 is shown in Fig. 8 to comprise a base 222 and legs 230 attached to the base and extending upwardly from the base.
- the rack 220 closely corresponds in many respects to the rack 20 of the first embodiment. Corresponding parts will be designated by the same reference numeral as their counterparts in the first embodiment, plus 200.
- the rack 220 has a cover for the base 222, which is not shown but substantially identical to the cover 92 of the first embodiment.
- the legs 230 of the rack 220 have a web 234, a front flange 236 and a back flange 238.
- the front and back flanges 236, 238 are essentially reversed from the front and back flanges 36, 38 of the legs 30 of the first embodiment.
- the front and back flanges 236, 238 have corresponding front and rear return flaps 240, 242 extending inwardly from the laterally outer edges of the flanges.
- a cross member 232 extends between and is connected to the webs 234 of the legs 230 by welding in the same manner described for the cross member 32 of the first embodiment.
- a reinforcing strut 254 of the second embodiment is positioned against the back flange 238 of each leg 230.
- the strut extends substantially the full height of the leg.
- the stiffener 44 present in the first embodiment is not present in the second embodiment. It is to be understood that a reinforcing strut extending the full height of a leg may be used in the configuration of the rack 20 of the first embodiment. Likewise, a reinforcing strut extending less than the full height of a leg may be used in the configuration of the rack 220 of the second embodiment.
- the reinforcing strut 254 has a web 256 in spaced apart opposed relation with an interior face of the back flange 238, and a pair of opposed flanges 258 extending forwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the web and into engagement with the interior face of the back flange.
- the reinforcing strut 254 is fixed to the leg by spot welds W11 spaced along the longitudinal edges of the web 256 and joining the strut to the web 234 of the leg 230 and the back return flap 242, respectively. Only the welds W11 connecting the reinforcing member 254 to the leg web 234 are illustrated in Fig. 8.
- the reinforcing strut 254 and back flange 238 of the leg define a box beam element to strengthen the back flange.
- the reinforcing strut 254 reinforces the back flange 238 to resist forces, such as those forces encountered by the rack during an earthquake, which tend to twist the material of the back flange about an axis perpendicular to the back flange and cause it to buckle and fail.
- the cross member 232 is tied to each of the legs 230 by a brace 262 rigidly connected to the cross member and to the box beam element defined by the reinforcing strut 254 and back flange 238 of the leg.
- the brace 262 is substantially identical to the brace 62 of the first embodiment.
- the brace 262 extends from under the cross member web 246 through an opening 264 in the web 234 of the leg and across the web 256 of the reinforcing strut 254. Part of the brace 262 lies generally in face-to-face engagement with the web 256 of the reinforcing strut 254.
- the brace 262 is attached to the reinforcing strut 254 by welds (not shown, but substantially identical to welds W5, W6 of the first embodiment) extending across upper and lower edge segments of the part of the brace in registration with the reinforcing strut.
- the brace 262 is attached along the full length of its outer end by a weld (not shown, but substantially identical to weld W7) to the rear return flap 242 of the leg 230, and to the leg web 234 by a weld (not shown but substantially identical to weld W8) extending transversely across the brace.
- a first portion of the brace 262 under the cross member web 234 is in generally closely spaced, parallel relation to the back flange 250 of the cross member 232.
- the brace 262 is attached to the underside of the cross member web 234 by a butt weld (not shown) extending along the side of the brace facing away from the back flange 250.
- a foot 266 (broadly, "second portion") of the L-shaped brace 262 extends away from the back flange 250 in generally perpendicular relation to the back flange.
- a weld (not shown, but substantially identical to weld W10) on the laterally inner side of the foot 266 further connects the brace 262 to the cross member 232.
- the arrangement and mounting of the brace 262 is substantially the same as the brace 62 of the first embodiment except that the brace 262 is located nearer the back flanges 238, 250 of the leg 230 and cross member 232.
- the reinforcing struts 54, 254 turn the flanges of the legs into box beams, capable of resisting the stresses applied to the front or back flanges (e.g., front flange 48 and back flange 250) of the legs 30, 230, such as when the rack is violently shaken in an earthquake.
- the braces 62, 262 which tie the cross member 32, 232 to the legs spread out the area over which the stresses are applied to the cross member away from the corners of the cross member engaging the web 34, 234 of the leg.
- the combination of the reinforcing struts 54, 254 and braces 62, 262 provides excellent resistance to failure caused by violent whipping of the legs during an earthquake.
- the one-piece cover 62 provides for easy access to the wiring or other item located in the base.
Abstract
A rack for electrical equipment is constructed for
resistance to failure in earthquake conditions. The rack
has a base and two legs extending upwardly from the base. A
cross member spans between and interconnects the legs near
their tops. A reinforcing strut on either the front or back
flange of each leg forms, in combination with the flange a
box beam element which greatly strengthens the flange of the
leg. A brace attached to the underside of the cross-member
passes through an opening in the web of the leg and is
rigidly attached to the reinforcing strut. The arrangement
of the brace facilitates the mounting of EMI shielding on
the rack. The rack also has a one-piece cover for closing
the base of the rack.
Description
This invention relates generally to racks and, more
particularly, to a rack for electric equipment.
The present invention is related to the rack
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,284,254. A common use of
racks of the type to which the present invention relates is
for carrying telephone circuitry in a building. The rack
has a base and two legs extending upwardly from the base.
To strengthen the structure, the legs are also connected
together by a cross member near the top of the legs. The
legs and the cross member are each channel-shaped, having a
web and two opposing flanges. The base and the space
between the legs is sometimes closed by a cover and panels,
respectively, to shield the circuitry from EMI (Electro-Magnetic
Interference) (or to protect the circuitry from
EMI). Typically, each rack carries up to 400-500 pounds
(181-227 kg) of electrical equipment, and is bolted or
otherwise secured to the floor. In certain geographic areas
where there is a high risk of seismic activity, it is
necessary to provide additional reinforcement to prevent the
racks from failing during an earthquake.
In U.S. Patent No. 5,284,254, structure for
reinforcing the base of the rack was disclosed. However,
when the rack is subjected to vibratory motion as occurs
during an earthquake, the long legs of the rack tend to whip
violently from side to side subjecting the weld connection
of the cross member to the webs of the legs to tremendous
stress. Failure of the connection of the cross member to
either one of the legs rapidly leads to catastrophic failure
of the rack. It is known to provide longitudinal extensions
of the front and back flanges of the cross member to overlie
either the front or back face of the corresponding front and
back flanges of the legs. The extensions are welded to the
flange they overlie. However, the stresses encountered in
an earthquake can cause the flange to fail. Often the
flanges of the legs are effectively made thicker by welding
an additional piece of metal on the flanges. However, the
flanges are still subject to bending out of their plane by
the stresses applied when the legs move from side to side.
If extensions of the front and back flanges of the
cross member are welded to exterior faces of the front and
back flanges of the legs, the front and back flanges of the
cross member will not be flush with the front and back
flanges of the legs. It is difficult to attach panels to
the legs to enclose the space between the legs when the
cross member protrudes forwardly and rearwardly from the
legs. Even a small space between the legs and the panel
will permit EMI to leak into (or out of) the space between
the legs. It is possible to bend the cross member
extensions so that they may extend through the webs of the
legs and into contact with the rear faces of the front and
back flanges. This permits the cross member to be flush
with the front and back flanges of the legs. However, the
forming of the bent extensions increases manufacturing
complexity and cost.
It is sometimes necessary to access the electrical
wiring in the rack. Accordingly, the panels on the legs
and/or the cover on the base must be removed to permit the
needed access. In the usual circumstance, the racks are
located close together in a room in a building, and there is
very little space for a technician to work on any given
rack. Frequently, the panels are readily removed from the
legs. However, the cover for the base is in two pieces and
requires the removal of several fasteners to release the
cover from base. Alternatively, only a portion of the cover
may be removable, which severely restricts access to the
base.
Among the several objects and features of the
present invention may be noted the provision of a rack which
resists failure in earthquake conditions; the provision of
such a rack which withstands and resists whipping action of
the legs in earthquake conditions; the provision of such a
rack which can be tightly sealed by panels for EMI
shielding; the provision of such a rack which has easy
access to electrical equipment and the like in its base in
cramped quarters; the provision of such a rack which permits
access to the full interior of the base; the provision of
such a rack which is readily manufactured.
Generally, a rack for electrical equipment of the
present invention comprises a base having a front, a back
and opposite sides, and a pair of legs extending up from the
base at opposite sides of the base. Each leg is generally
channel-shaped and has a web, a front flange projecting from
a front edge of the web and a back flange projecting from a
back edge of the web. A cross member extending between the
webs of the legs generally at the upper ends of the legs is
rigidly connected to each leg to interconnect the legs for
strengthening the rack. Reinforcing struts rigidly mounted
on each leg each have a web in spaced apart opposed relation
with an interior face of one of the front and back flanges
of the leg. Said one flange and the reinforcing strut
define a box beam element strengthening said one flange.
Tie means rigidly interconnects the cross member to the box
beam element.
In another aspect of the present invention, a rack
generally comprises a base, legs and a cross member, as set
forth above. A brace for each leg rigidly interconnecting
the cross member to each leg has two thin edges and opposed
broad sides. One of the thin edges engages the web of the
cross member. The brace extends through an opening in the
leg web generally transversely over one of the front and
back flanges of the leg and is rigidly connected to the leg.
The brace includes a first portion in generally closely
spaced, parallel relation to one of the front and back
flanges of the cross member and a second portion in
generally non-parallel arrangement to said one flange of the
cross member. The brace is butt welded to the web of the
cross member along an upper edge of a side of the first
portion facing away from said one flange of the cross
member, and along the second portion.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a
rack generally comprises a base, legs, cross member and tie
means as set forth above. A one-piece cover is adapted to
be removably fastened to the base of the rack in a position
where the cover extends forward from the back wall of the
base between the legs of the rack and is spaced above the
bottom wall of the base to form, in combination with the
back and bottom walls of the base, an enclosure. Fasteners
for removably fastening the cover in fixed position on the
base are adapted to be unfastened for removing the cover
from the base thereby to provide ready access to an interior
of the base.
Other objects and features of the invention will be
in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
Corresponding reference characters indicate
corresponding parts throughout the several views of the
drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to
Fig. 1, a rack constructed according to the principles of
the present invention is indicated generally at 20. The
rack, which is particularly adapted for mounting electrical
equipment (e.g., telephone relay circuits), includes a base,
generally indicated at 22, having a front, a back, opposite
sides, a bottom wall 24 and a back wall 26 extending up from
the bottom wall generally at the back of the base. A
plurality of fastener openings 28 in the bottom wall 24 may
have fasteners (not shown) driven through them and into a
surface (not shown) supporting the rack 20 for securing the
rack to the surface. The fastener openings 28 are
elongated, which permits flexibility in the positioning of
the fasteners along the length of the openings. A pair of
channel-shaped legs, generally indicated at 30, extend up
from the bottom wall 24 of the base 22 at opposite sides of
the rack 20 adjacent the back wall 26 of the base. The legs
30 are affixed to the bottom wall 24 of the base such as by
welding to the bottom wall 24 and the back wall 26. A cross
member, generally indicated at 32, spans between and
interconnects the legs 30 at the tops of the legs.
The legs 30 each have a web 34, a front flange 36
projecting from a front edge of the web and a back flange 38
projecting from a back edge of the web. A front return flap
40 extends rearwardly from a laterally outer edge of the
front flange 36 opposite the web 34. A shorter rear return
flap 42 extends forwardly from a laterally outer edge of the
back flange 38 opposite the web 34. A stiffener 44 on each
leg 30 is attached by welding along the full length of
vertical edge 44A to the return flap 40, and along vertical
edges 44B, 44C to the front flange 36. The horizontally
extending edges of the stiffener 44, and lower vertical edge
44D are free of welding. The cross member 32 includes a web
46, a front flange 48 depending from a forward edge of the
web and a back flange 50 (see Fig. 2) depending from a
rearward edge of the web. The front flange 48 of the cross
member is substantially co-planar with the front flange 36
of the leg 30, and the back flange 50 of the cross member is
substantially co-planar with the back flange 38 of the leg.
The ends of the cross member front and back flanges 48, 50
and an adjacent portion of the cross member web 46 abutting
the web 34 of the leg, are attached by weld lines W1 to the
web of the leg. The web 46 of the cross member 32 is also
attached by weld W2 on the underside of the cross member web
to the web 34 of the leg (Fig. 5).
Referring now also to Figs. 2-4, a reinforcing strut
rigidly mounted on each leg 30 is generally indicated at 54.
The reinforcing strut has a web 56 in spaced apart opposed
relation with an interior face of the front flange 36 of the
leg. In the preferred embodiment, the reinforcing strut 54
has a pair of opposed flanges 58 extending forwardly from
opposite longitudinal edges of the web 56 and into
engagement with the interior face of the front flange 36 of
the leg. The reinforcing strut 54 is fixed to the leg 30 by
weld lines W3 and W4 extending along the longitudinal edges
of the web 56 and joining the strut to the web 34 of the leg
and the front return flap 44, respectively (Fig. 4). The
weld lines W3, W4 are continuous and extend substantially
the full length of the reinforcing strut 54. As attached to
the leg 30, the reinforcing strut 54 and front flange 36 of
the leg define a box beam element to strengthen the front
flange. The reinforcing strut 54 reinforces the front
flange 36 of the leg to resist forces, such as those forces
encountered by the rack 20 during an earthquake, which tend
to twist the material of the front flange about an axis
perpendicular to the front flange and cause it to buckle and
fail. The forces are encountered by the front flange 36
because the cross member 32 is tied to the front flange, as
will be described below. It has been found in shake tests
that catastrophic failure of the rack 20 occurs almost
instantaneously upon failure of the connection of the cross
member 32 to one of the legs 30.
In the preferred embodiment, the cross member 32 is
tied to each of the legs 30 by a brace generally indicated
at 62. The brace is rigidly connected to the cross member
32 and to the box beam element defined by the reinforcing
strut 54 and front flange 36 of the leg. The brace 62 is
generally L-shaped and has thin edges and broad sides. One
of the thin edges engages the underside of the cross member
web 46. The brace 62 extends from under the cross member
web through an opening 64 in the web 34 of the leg and
across the web 56 of the reinforcing strut 54. A part 62A
of the brace 62 lies generally in face-to-face engagement
with the web 56 of the reinforcing strut 54. As shown in
Fig. 4, the brace 62 is attached to the reinforcing strut 54
by welds W5, W6 extending across upper and lower edge
segments (respectively) of the part 62A overlying the
reinforcing strut. The brace 62 is attached along the full
length of its outer end by a weld W7 to the front return
flap 44, and to the leg web 34 by a weld W8 extending
transversely across the brace. The brace 62 is broken away
in two places in Fig. 4 to show that the brace overlies
portions of the continuous weld lines W3, W4 connecting the
reinforcing strut 54 to the leg 30, and that the welds W7,
W8 connecting the brace to the leg are in registration with
but separate from the weld lines W3, W4.
A first portion 62B of the brace 62 under the cross
member web is in generally closely spaced, parallel
relation to the front flange 48 of the cross member 32. The
first portion 62B is attached to the underside of the cross
member web by a butt weld W9 extending along the upper edge
of the side of the brace facing away from the front flange
(Fig. 5). A foot 66 (broadly, "second portion") of the L-shaped
brace 62 extends away from the first portion 62A and
front flange 48 of the cross member 32 in generally
perpendicular relation to the first portion and front
flange. A weld W10 on the laterally inner side of the foot
66 further connects the brace 62 to the cross member 32.
The foot 66, as welded to the cross member web 46, resists
buckling of the brace 62. The connection of the brace 62
over substantially the entire length of the first and second
portions of the brace underlying the cross member web 46
spreads out the area in which stress is applied to the cross
member 32 so that there is more material resisting the
applied stresses. In addition, essentially three flanges
(the front flange 48, the back flange 50 and the brace 62)
must fail for the cross member 32 to fail.
As shown in Fig. 6, it may be seen that the base 22
further includes a pair of support members indicated
generally at 70. The support members are of inverted
channel shape and lie at opposite sides of the base 22,
extending forward above the bottom wall 24 from respective
legs 30 to the front of the base. Each support member 70
has a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart side walls 72
extending up from the bottom wall 24 of the base 22 and
lying in planes extending in front-to-back direction with
respect to the base, and a top wall 74 connecting the side
walls. The side walls 72 of the support members 70 are each
welded along their lower edges to the bottom wall 24 and
welded to respective ones of the front flanges 36 of the
legs 30 along a rear edge margin. The forwardmost lower
edge margin portion of the laterally outer side wall 72 of
the support member is attached by welding to a return 76 of
a front wall 78 of the base 22. The top wall 74 of the
support member 70 is welded to the corresponding front
flange 36 of one of the legs 30.
To reinforce the rack 20, braces indicated generally
at 82, which are completely separate from the support
members 70, are attached to the base 22 adjacent opposite
legs 30 of the rack. Each brace 82 has a generally vertical
leg 84 which extends forward from generally adjacent the
back wall 26 of the base 22, the rearward edge of the leg
being spaced a small distance forward from the back wall 26.
A top edge margin of the vertical leg 84 is formed to extend
laterally inwardly from the top edge of the leg to define a
cover support 86. The brace 82 is arranged so that its
vertical leg 84 bridges a respective leg 30 and associated
support member 70 of the rack 20. The vertical leg 84 is
attached, as by welding, along its back edge and a portion
of its top edge to a respective leg 30. A forward portion
of the top edge is attached by welding to the support member
70. A forward edge of the vertical leg 84 is also attached
by welding to the inner side wall 72 of the support member.
At the bottom of the forward edge a portion (not shown) of
the vertical leg 84 juts out under the return of the front
wall of the base 22. The upper edge of the jutting out
portion is also welded to the side wall 72 of the support
member.
Each brace 82 also includes a generally horizontal
leg 88 extending laterally from a lower edge of the vertical
leg 84 and overlying the bottom wall 24 of the base 22.
Openings 90 are provided in the horizontal leg 88 which are
aligned with a corresponding fastener opening 28 in the
bottom wall 24 of the base 22 so that fasteners can be
driven through the aligned openings 28, 90 and into the
surface supporting the rack 20 for securing the rack to the
surface. The laterally inner edge of the horizontal leg 88
is attached by welds to the bottom wall 24.
As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the rack 20 includes a
one-piece cover, generally indicated at 92, adapted to be
removably fastened to the to base 22 in a position (Fig. 7)
where the cover extends forward from the back wall 26
between the legs 30 and is spaced above the bottom wall 24
of the base. The cover 92 in combination with the bottom
wall 24, back wall 26 and front wall 78 of the base 22
defines an enclosure for electrical wiring. It is to be
understood that items other than electrical equipment may be
mounted on the rack 20 without departing from the scope of
the present invention. The cover 92 includes a top panel 94
which is cut out so that the top panel is received between
the legs 30 and overlies the top walls 74 of the support
members 70. The top panel 94 also rests on the cover
supports 86 formed at the tops of the vertical legs of the
braces and a return 96 of the back wall 26. A front panel
of the cover 92, generally indicated at 96, is formed as one
piece with the top panel 94 and extends downward from a
forward edge of the top panel over the front of the base 22.
The front panel has a first section 98 which is formed to
fit against the front edges of the support members 70, and a
second section 100 which is formed to fit around and rest on
protruding portions of the laterally outer side walls 72 of
the support members. A third section 102 of the front panel
96 extends inwardly and downwardly for abutting the front
wall 78 of the base 22. The cover 92 may be formed by
bending a piece of sheet metal, or in another suitable
manner.
The cover 92 is secured to the base 22 using a
single pair of fasteners 104, which are the sole fasteners
connecting the cover to the base. The fasteners 104 fit
through corresponding openings 106 in the cover 92 which are
aligned with mating openings 108 in the front wall of the
base 22 (Fig. 6). Thus, the entire interior of the base 22
can be exposed by removing the two fasteners 104 and lifting
the cover 92 off of the base. Often racks of the type to
which this invention relates are used in cramped quarters.
The fewer parts to be manipulated for exposing the wiring
carried in the base 22 of the rack 20, the easier it is for
technicians who must work on the equipment.
A second embodiment of the rack 220 is shown in Fig.
8 to comprise a base 222 and legs 230 attached to the base
and extending upwardly from the base. The rack 220 closely
corresponds in many respects to the rack 20 of the first
embodiment. Corresponding parts will be designated by the
same reference numeral as their counterparts in the first
embodiment, plus 200. The rack 220 has a cover for the base
222, which is not shown but substantially identical to the
cover 92 of the first embodiment. The legs 230 of the rack
220 have a web 234, a front flange 236 and a back flange
238. The front and back flanges 236, 238 are essentially
reversed from the front and back flanges 36, 38 of the legs
30 of the first embodiment. The front and back flanges 236,
238 have corresponding front and rear return flaps 240, 242
extending inwardly from the laterally outer edges of the
flanges. A cross member 232 extends between and is
connected to the webs 234 of the legs 230 by welding in the
same manner described for the cross member 32 of the first
embodiment.
A reinforcing strut 254 of the second embodiment is
positioned against the back flange 238 of each leg 230.
However, unlike the reinforcing strut 54 of the first
embodiment, the strut extends substantially the full height
of the leg. The stiffener 44 present in the first
embodiment is not present in the second embodiment. It is
to be understood that a reinforcing strut extending the full
height of a leg may be used in the configuration of the rack
20 of the first embodiment. Likewise, a reinforcing strut
extending less than the full height of a leg may be used in
the configuration of the rack 220 of the second embodiment.
The reinforcing strut 254 has a web 256 in spaced apart
opposed relation with an interior face of the back flange
238, and a pair of opposed flanges 258 extending forwardly
from opposite longitudinal edges of the web and into
engagement with the interior face of the back flange. The
reinforcing strut 254 is fixed to the leg by spot welds W11
spaced along the longitudinal edges of the web 256 and
joining the strut to the web 234 of the leg 230 and the back
return flap 242, respectively. Only the welds W11
connecting the reinforcing member 254 to the leg web 234 are
illustrated in Fig. 8. As attached to the leg 230, the
reinforcing strut 254 and back flange 238 of the leg define
a box beam element to strengthen the back flange. The
reinforcing strut 254 reinforces the back flange 238 to
resist forces, such as those forces encountered by the rack
during an earthquake, which tend to twist the material of
the back flange about an axis perpendicular to the back
flange and cause it to buckle and fail.
The cross member 232 is tied to each of the legs 230
by a brace 262 rigidly connected to the cross member and to
the box beam element defined by the reinforcing strut 254
and back flange 238 of the leg. The brace 262 is
substantially identical to the brace 62 of the first
embodiment. The brace 262 extends from under the cross
member web 246 through an opening 264 in the web 234 of the
leg and across the web 256 of the reinforcing strut 254.
Part of the brace 262 lies generally in face-to-face
engagement with the web 256 of the reinforcing strut 254.
The brace 262 is attached to the reinforcing strut 254 by
welds (not shown, but substantially identical to welds W5,
W6 of the first embodiment) extending across upper and lower
edge segments of the part of the brace in registration with
the reinforcing strut. The brace 262 is attached along the
full length of its outer end by a weld (not shown, but
substantially identical to weld W7) to the rear return flap
242 of the leg 230, and to the leg web 234 by a weld (not
shown but substantially identical to weld W8) extending
transversely across the brace.
A first portion of the brace 262 under the cross
member web 234 is in generally closely spaced, parallel
relation to the back flange 250 of the cross member 232.
The brace 262 is attached to the underside of the cross
member web 234 by a butt weld (not shown) extending along
the side of the brace facing away from the back flange 250.
A foot 266 (broadly, "second portion") of the L-shaped brace
262 extends away from the back flange 250 in generally
perpendicular relation to the back flange. A weld (not
shown, but substantially identical to weld W10) on the
laterally inner side of the foot 266 further connects the
brace 262 to the cross member 232. The foot 266, as welded
to the cross member web 246, resists buckling of the brace
262. Thus it may be seen that the arrangement and mounting
of the brace 262 is substantially the same as the brace 62
of the first embodiment except that the brace 262 is located
nearer the back flanges 238, 250 of the leg 230 and cross
member 232.
The several objects and features of the present
invention are met by the racks 20, 220 of the preferred
embodiments. The reinforcing struts 54, 254 turn the
flanges of the legs into box beams, capable of resisting the
stresses applied to the front or back flanges (e.g., front
flange 48 and back flange 250) of the legs 30, 230, such as
when the rack is violently shaken in an earthquake. The
braces 62, 262 which tie the cross member 32, 232 to the
legs spread out the area over which the stresses are applied
to the cross member away from the corners of the cross
member engaging the web 34, 234 of the leg. The location of
the braces 62, 262 inwardly of the front and back flanges of
the legs 230 and the cross members 32, 232 permits the front
and back flanges of the cross member to be substantially co-planar
with the front and back flanges of the legs.
Accordingly, the rack 20, 220 may readily receive EMI
shields (not shown) on the legs 30, 230 which will close the
interior of the rack. The combination of the reinforcing
struts 54, 254 and braces 62, 262 provides excellent
resistance to failure caused by violent whipping of the legs
during an earthquake. Moreover, the one-piece cover 62
provides for easy access to the wiring or other item located
in the base.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the
several objects of the invention are achieved and other
advantageous results attained.
As various changes could be made in the above
constructions without departing from the scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the
above description or shown in the accompanying drawings
shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting
sense.
Claims (12)
- A rack (20; 220) for electrical equipment comprising:a base (22; 222) having a front, a back and opposite sides; a pair of legs (30; 230) extending up from the base at opposite sides of the base, each leg being generally channel-shaped and having a web (34; 234), a front flange (36; 236) projecting from a front edge of the web and a back flange (38; 238) projecting from a back edge of the web;a cross member (32; 232) extending between the webs of the legs generally at the upper ends of the legs, the cross member being rigidly connected to each leg thereby to interconnect the legs for strengthening the rack;a reinforcing strut (54; 254) rigidly mounted on each leg, each reinforcing strut having a web (56; 256) in spaced apart opposed relation with an interior face of one of the front and back flanges of the leg, said one flange and the reinforcing strut defining a box beam element strengthening said one flange;tie means (62; 262) for rigidly interconnecting the cross member to the box beam element.
- A rack as set forth in claim 1 wherein the reinforcing strut (54) further comprises a pair of opposed flanges (58) extending from the web (56) of the strut toward the interior face of said one flange of the leg (30).
- A rack as set forth in claim 2 wherein the opposed flanges (58) of the reinforcing strut (54) engage the interior face of said one flange of the leg (30) along longitudinal edges of the opposed flanges opposite the web (56) of the reinforcing strut.
- A rack as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said tie means comprises a brace (62) for each leg 30), each brace being rigidly connected to the cross member 32) and to the box beam element of its corresponding leg, the web (34) of each leg having an opening (64) therein, the brace extending through the opening generally transversely across the web (56) of the reinforcing strut (54) and being rigidly connected to the web of the reinforcing strut, and wherein the cross member comprises a web (46), a front flange (48) projecting from a front edge of the web and a back flange (50) projecting from a back edge of the web, and wherein the brace is generally L-shaped and has two thin edges and opposed broad sides, one of the thin edges engaging the web of the cross member and one of the broad sides engaging the web of the reinforcing strut, each brace including a first portion (62B) in generally closely spaced, parallel relation to one of the front and back flanges of the cross member and a second portion (66) in generally perpendicular arrangement to said one flange of the cross member, the brace being butt welded to the web of the cross member along the side of the first portion facing away from said one flange of the cross member and along the second portion.
- A rack as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the base (22) comprises a bottom wall (24), and a back wall (26) extending up from the bottom wall at the back of the rack, and wherein the rack further comprises a one-piece cover (92) adapted to be removably fastened to the base of the rack in a position where the cover extends forward from the back wall of the base between the legs (30) of the rack and is spaced above the bottom wall of the base to form, in combination with the back and bottom walls of the base, an enclosure, and fasteners (104) for removably fastening the cover in fixed position on the base, said fasteners being adapted to be unfastened for removing the cover from the base thereby to provide ready access to an interior of the base, the base further comprising a front wall (78) extending upwardly from the bottom wall at the front of the base, the front wall having openings (108) therein, the sole fasteners connecting the cover to the base being receivable through the cover and the openings in the front wall.
- A rack (20; 220) for electrical equipment comprising:a base (22; 222) having a front, a back and opposite sides;a pair of legs (30; 230) extending up from the base at opposite sides of the base, each leg being generally channel-shaped and having a web (34; 234), a front flange (36; 236) projecting from a front edge of the web and a back flange (38; 238) projecting from a back edge of the web;a cross member (32; 232) extending between the webs of the legs generally at the upper ends of the legs, the cross member being rigidly connected to each leg thereby to interconnect the legs for strengthening the rack;a brace (62; 262) for each leg rigidly interconnecting the cross member to each leg, the brace having two thin edges and opposed broad sides, one of the thin edges engaging the web of the cross member, the web of each leg having an opening (64) therein, the brace extending through the opening generally transversely over one of the front and back flanges of the leg and being rigidly connected to the leg, the brace including a first portion (62B) in generally closely spaced, parallel relation to one of the front and back flanges of the cross member and a second portion (66) in generally non-parallel arrangement to said one flange of the cross member, the brace being butt welded to the web of the cross member along a side of the first portion facing away from said one flange of the cross member and along the second portion.
- A rack as set forth in claim 6 further comprising a reinforcing strut (54) rigidly mounted on each leg (30), each reinforcing strut having a web (56) in spaced apart opposed relation with an interior face of one of the front and back flanges (36, 38) of the leg, said one flange and the reinforcing strut defining a box beam element strengthening said one flange.
- A rack as set forth in either claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the base (22) comprises a bottom wall (24), and a back wall (26) extending up from the bottom wall at the back of the rack, and wherein the rack further comprises a one-piece cover (92) adapted to be removably fastened to the base of the rack in a position where the cover extends forward from the back wall of the base between the legs of the rack and is spaced above the bottom wall of the base to form, in combination with the back and bottom walls of the base, an enclosure, and fasteners (104) for removably fastening the cover in fixed position on the base, said fasteners being adapted to be unfastened for removing the cover from the base thereby to provide ready access to an interior of the base, the base further comprising a front wall (78) extending upwardly from the bottom wall at the front of the base, the front wall having openings (108) therein, the sole fasteners connecting the cover to the base being receivable through the cover and the openings in the front wall.
- A rack for electrical equipment comprising:a base (22; 222) having a front, a back and opposite sides, the base further including a bottom wall (24; 224), and a back wall (26; 226) extending up from the bottom wall at the back of the rack;a pair of legs (30; 230) extending up from the base at opposite sides of the base, each leg being generally channel-shaped and having a web (34; 234), a front flange (36; 236) projecting from a front edge of the web and a back flange (38; 238) projecting from a back edge of the web;a cross member (32; 232) extending between the webs of the legs generally at the upper ends of the legs, the cross member being rigidly connected to each leg thereby to interconnect the legs for strengthening the rack;tie means (62; 262) for rigidly interconnecting the cross member to the legs;a one-piece cover (92) adapted to be removably fastened to the base of the rack in a position where the cover extends forward from the back wall of the base between the legs of the rack and is spaced above the bottom wall of the base to form, in combination with the back and bottom walls of the base, an enclosure;fasteners (104) for removably fastening the cover in fixed position on the base, said fasteners being adapted to be unfastened for removing the cover from the base thereby to provide ready access to an interior of the base.
- A rack as set forth in claim 9 wherein the base (22) further comprises a front wall (78) extending upwardly from the bottom wall (24) at the front of the base, the front wall having openings therein, the fasteners (104) connecting the cover to the base being receivable through the cover and the openings in the front wall, and being the sole fasteners connecting the cover to the rack.
- A rack as set forth in claim 9 further comprising a reinforcing strut (54) rigidly mounted on each leg (30), each reinforcing strut having a web (56) in spaced apart opposed relation with an interior face of one of the front and back flanges (36, 38), and a pair of opposed flanges (58) extending from the web of the strut toward the interior face of said one flange, said one flange and the reinforcing strut defining a box beam element strengthening said one flange.
- A rack as set forth in either claim 9 or claim 10 wherein said tie means comprises a brace (62) for each leg (30) rigidly interconnecting the cross member (32) to each leg, the brace having two thin edges and opposed broad sides, one of the thin edges engaging the web (46) of the cross member, the web (34) of each leg having an opening (64) therein, the brace extending through the opening generally transversely across the web of the reinforcing strut and being rigidly connected to the reinforcing strut, the brace including a first portion (62B) in generally closely spaced, parallel relation to one of the front and back flanges (48, 50) of the cross member and a second portion (66) in generally non-parallel arrangement to said one flange of the cross member, the brace being butt welded to the web of the cross member along a side of the first portion facing away from said one flange of the cross member and along the second portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US806055 | 1991-12-11 | ||
US08/806,055 US5819956A (en) | 1997-02-25 | 1997-02-25 | Rack for electrical equipment |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0863693A1 true EP0863693A1 (en) | 1998-09-09 |
Family
ID=25193206
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98300723A Withdrawn EP0863693A1 (en) | 1997-02-25 | 1998-02-02 | Rack for electrical equipment |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5819956A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0863693A1 (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US5819956A (en) | 1998-10-13 |
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